NASCAR’s big day in Chicago was soaked by heavy rain, but eventually, the show went on
Saturday’s race was curtailed, concerts canceled and fans left to deal with unpredictable start times. Here’s a look at NASCAR’S soggy Sunday.
By
WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times Staff
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After rain let up on Sunday, NASCAR held its headline event, the Grant Park 220. Take a look through photos from the soggy day.Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
After rain let up on Sunday, NASCAR held its headline event, the Grant Park 220. Take a look through photos from the soggy day.Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
NASCAR’s big day in Chicago was soaked by heavy rain, but eventually, the show went on
Saturday’s race was curtailed, concerts canceled and fans left to deal with unpredictable start times. Here’s a look at NASCAR’S soggy Sunday.
By
WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times Staff
URL Copied!
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After delays and disappointment, NASCAR’s big weekend ended on a high note. The main event, the Grant Park 220, cruised through the streets of Chicago after a record amount of rainfall looked like it would postpone the event.
Driver Shane van Gisbergen was victorious in Sunday’s marquee event, which was trimmed from 100 laps down to 75, after a late start gave them limited race time.
Saturday’s race, the Xfinity Loop 121, was cut short due to severe weather, with the plan to complete the 55-lap event on Sunday morning. But after persistent rain and “standing water and flooding”, the race was called off entirely. Driver Cole Custer, in the lead Saturday through 25 laps, was declared the winner.
Most of the weekend’s concerts were also nixed, including Saturday’s headliner, the Chainsmokers, and Sunday’s scheduled performances by Charley Crockett and Miranda Lambert.
Despite many letdowns for fans, some NASCAR devotees said they’re used to dealing with bad weather.
“It seems to not be NASCAR unless it rains,” Timothy Alguire, who drove with his brother from the Quad Cities for the race, told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Another poncho-clad fan, Margaret Kanakos of upstate New York, said, “It happens. It ain’t the first rain we’ve had in NASCAR.”
Here’s a look at the soggy scene downtown on Sunday.
Shane van Gisbergen won his first victory in his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Grant Park 220 on the Chicago Street Race Course. Anthony Vazquez / Chicago Sun-Times
NASCAR’s big weekend in Chicago came to a close Sunday after the Grant Park 220 race. Anthony Vazquez / Chicago Sun-Times
Driver Shane van Gisbergen won NASCAR’s Grant Park 220 race on Sunday. Morry Gash / Associated Press
Cars race through turn eight on the second day of NASCAR’s first street race in downtown Chicago on Sunday. Mustafa Hussain/For the Chicago Sun-Times
Denny Hamlin races past The Spearman statue during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Chicago Street Race. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
Fans cheer as the green flag is waved to start the race during the Grant Park 220 NASCAR Street Race. Anthony Vazquez / Chicago Sun-Times
Race cars are uncovered as the Grant Park 220 NASCAR race prepares to begin in Chicago on Sunday. Anthony Vazquez / Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields speaks to the media at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
A member of the security team at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race drops umbrellas to be thrown away in a pile on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
Shortly before scheduled race time, Mayor Brandon Johnson entered downtown. Anthony Vazquez / Chicago Sun-Times
NASCAR fans wait in the rain on Sunday afternoon. Anthony Vazquez / Chicago Sun-Times
People take pictures and video while crossing the track at East Balbo Drive at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
A seagull flies by the Mobil 1 Stage at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
A person walks through a large puddle south of Buckingham Fountain at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
People seek shelter under the Paddock Club at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
Pickup trucks with dryers attached make laps on the course at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
A person with an umbrella leans on the Parker Chase “Ontivity” #24 car at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
NASCAR track services members wait in pit row at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
People seek shelter under the Paddock Club at the NASCAR Chicago Street Race on Sunday. Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times
